Things to Do
Come and Play
At Central Virginia's Zoological ParkFrom feeding giraffes to relaxing on the train to ziplining above kangaroos, the Metro Richmond Zoo has an adventure waiting for each member of the family!
Feed the Animals
Keeper Talks
Rides & Attractions
Shopping & Eating
Treetop Zoofari
Behind the Scenes
Animal Experiences
Feed the Giraffes
Feed the world’s tallest mammal from the palm of your hand! Enjoy this incredible experience by purchasing zoo treat cups for just $3.00 each at the front entrance or inside the zoo.
Feed the Budgies
Enter the budgie aviary and watch as colorful, lively budgies fly around and land on you! Feed the birds by purchasing $2.00 budgie sticks.
Keeper Talks
Learn more about animals from the professionals who take care of them! Join us for our daily Keeper Talks and ask questions about your favorite animals. Keeper Talks are fun, educational, and free with zoo admission.
Keeper Talk Schedule
| Penguin Feeding | 11:00 AM + 3:30 PM |
| Otter Feeding | 10:30 AM + 3:00 PM |
| Siamang Feeding | 2:30 PM |
| Cheetah Talk* | 11:30 AM |
*Cheetah Talk takes places at Kumbali and Kago’s exhibit.
Children's Petting Area
Meet, greet, and feed the zoo’s barnyard animals: goats, camels, sheep, llamas, chickens! Purchase zoo treats to participate in this animal feeding area. Young children and people of all ages love interacting with these friendly, domesticated friends.
Face-to-face with the Wild
Feel the intensity of a tiger’s stare with nothing but a 3 inch glass in between. Our habitats provide guests with spectacular, close-up views of the animals. Unforgettable, educational encounters with wildlife are waiting for you.
Rides & Attractions
Safari Train Ride
All aboard!! Ride the train into an 8 acre area with free ranging animals to explore a section of the zoo not accessible by foot. You will see African antelope, ostrich, chimpanzees, and more. The 15 minute safari is narrated by a knowledgeable conductor who will share unique facts about the animals.
Ride Ticket Price and Rules
- $4.00 per rider ages 2 and older
- FREE with gold/goldX membership
- Anyone can ride: babies and young children must be held and/or supervised
- Unaccompanied rider height: 54″ tall & responsible
- No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
- Stroller parking is available at the station
- Train Schedule:
- Train runs every 30 minutes
- First train ride: 10:30 AM
- Last train ride: 4:30 PM
- On slow days, the train may operate on request
Safari Sky Lift
Tired of walking? Enjoy a relaxing, bird’s eye view of the animals and scenery by taking the Safari Sky Lift over the park. The ride lasts about 15 minutes and circles back to the place you loaded.
Ride Ticket Price and Rules
- $4.00 per rider ages 2 and older
- FREE with gold/goldX membership
- Anyone can ride: babies and young children must be held and/or supervised
- Unaccompanied rider height: 42″ tall & responsible
- No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
- Stroller parking is available near the loading station
- Weight limit: 450 lbs. per chair
- Sky Lift Schedule:
- Sky Lift runs continuously throughout the day
- Sky Lift opens: 10:30 AM
- Sky Lift closes: 4:45 PM
- On slow days, the Sky Lift may operate on request
Penguin Falls Drop Tower
Dive like a penguin on the drop tower! Riders raise 30 ft into the air and experience a series of drops and twists. It’s fun for all ages.
Ride Ticket Price and Rules
- $4.00 per rider
- FREE with gold/goldX membership
- Minimum height: 40″ tall accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
- Unaccompanied rider height: 51″ tall
- Maximum rider height: 6′ 5″ tall
Jungle Carousel
Lions and tigers and monkeys, oh my! Your child will love taking a ride on the carousel.
Ride Ticket Price and Rules
- $2.00 per rider ages 2 and older
- FREE with gold/goldX membership
- Parents can stand with their child during the ride for no additional cost
- Unaccompanied rider height: 36″ tall
- No height restrictions for children accompanied by a responsible person (ages 12+)
Critter Climb Playland
NOW OPEN: Climb and swing like a monkey in our new children’s play area. Explore tunnels, towers, slides, and more. Access is included with zoo admisison.
Playland Rules
- Playland is intended for children 12 & under unless accompanying a young child
- Children must be supervised by an adult at all times
- No shoes inside the playland
- No food or drink inside the playland
- No running, pushing, yelling, or roughhousing
- Additional rules displayed outside of the playland
Shopping and Eating
Shopping
Take home a souvenir to remember your zoo adventure!
The gift shop is located at the entrance and exit of the zoo. We sell plush animals, toys, t-shirts, animal print pottery, hats, magnets, and more.
Zoo members receive a discount on most merchandise.
Eating
Pick up lunch or a snack at our food locations:
- Penguin Falls Café located by the penguin exhibit
- Cheetah Eat Café located by the front entrance
- Banana Breeze located by the budgie aviary
- Rhino Breeze located by the rhino exhibit
There are multiple covered pavilions, picnic areas, and benches to rest and eat lunch. Outside food and drink is allowed. Coolers are welcome. No grills, alcohol, or glass containers.
Not all food locations are open every day and hours vary. Zoo members receive a discount on food items.
ZIP THE ZOO
Treetop Zoofari
Experience the zoo from the trees. Zip over animals, the lake, and through the forest.
Treetop Zoofari Course
Challenge yourself to a tree-to-tree adventure!
- 15 zip lines
- 25 challenges
- Minimum height: 54″ tall
- Minimum age: 8 years old
- Zoo members receive a discount
Junior Explorer Course
Calling all little ones with a brave spirit!
- 2 zip lines
- 21 challenges
- Minimum height: 40″ tall
- Minimum age: 4 years old
- Zoo members receive a discount
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Animal Encounters
Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors: penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more about them from their caretakers
DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN
Summer Safari
Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper? Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the zoo animals!
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR
The Orangutan Experience
Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts while seeing orangutans up close and personal
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Animal Encounters
Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors:
penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more
about them from their caretakers
DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN
Summer Safari
Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper?
Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting
behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the animals at the zoo!
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR
The Orangutan Experience
Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts
while seeing orangutans up close and personal
BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOUR
The Orangutan Experience
Learn more about orangutan behavior and conservation efforts while seeing orangutans up close and personal
MEMORABLE MOMENTS
Animal Encounters
Schedule a private visit with one of our animal ambassadors: penguin, parrot, armadillo, or snake and learn more about them from their caretakers
DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN
SUMMER SAFARI
Does your child love animals and want to be a zookeeper? Sign them up for Summer Safari, and they will get an exciting behind-the-scenes look at how we care for the animals at the zoo!